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Scenic Newport, RI Self-Driving Audio Tour

Badge of ExcellenceNewport, United States

From USD 14.99

Select Date and Travellers

Free cancellation

Up to 24 hours in advance.

Newport Tours

Attractions

Things to do in Newport Bellevue Avenue Tours & Tickets Fort Adams State Park Tours & Tickets Marble House Tours & Tickets Ocean Drive Tours & Tickets The Breakers Tours & Tickets Newport Cliff Walk Tours & Tickets Brenton Point State Park Tours & Tickets

Recommendations

All Recommendations How to Spend 3 Days in Newport, Rhode Island Top Historical Mansions in Newport

Nearby

Rhode Island

1 to 2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Overview

Explore scenic Newport, Rhode Island at your own pace with this self-guided driving tour. Listen to enriching background on iconic historic mansions like the Bellevue House, the Elms, and the unmissable Vanderbilt estate known as The Breakers and visit public beaches and picturesque parks. Follow a live GPS map that works offline with customer support.

A self-guided driving tour of Newport, Rhode Island
Pay per car, not per person: families and friends can listen together
Enjoy customer support via email, messaging, and phone
Visit historic, natural, and cultural attractions at your own pace and rhythm

What's Included

App on your phone: A link to download the Tour Guide App by Action and Password for your tours.
Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Travel over multiple days or on next trip. Never expires.
Good value: Buy just one per car. Don’t pay for each person. Save money compared to a bus tour.
Easy to use: Stories play automatically by GPS. Hands-free. Get HELP all day: Call, Chat, or Email.
Private tour in your/rental car: No group. Take breaks for photos/ snacks/hikes. Go at your own pace
Offline use: No cell signal or wifi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
Don’t miss a thing: Full itinerary, travel tips, professionally narrated, videos, text, hidden gems.

Transportation, parking fee, food/drinks
National Park/attraction Passes, entry tickets, or reservation

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

23 America's Cup Ave
23 America's Cup Ave, Newport, RI 02840, USA
After booking the tour, please make sure that you have downloaded the app and the tour in advance. For the best experience, we advise doing this while you have a strong internet connection. Note: The 12-mile tour covers the essentials of scenic Newport, Rhode Island in 1-2 hours.

Start time

Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.

Opening hours

7/20/2021 - 4/16/2024
Monday - Sunday : 06:00 am - 11:30 pm

End point

Newport Public Library
300 Spring St, Newport, RI 02840, USA

What To Expect

Newport Visitors Information Center

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

International Tennis Hall of Fame (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
How it works: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions. Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. To begin touring, go to the Starting Point and launch the app. The audio starts automatically. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience. Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
Good value: Purchase only one tour for the entire vehicle instead of taking the bus and paying for each person. You will see a significant saving. Connect your phone to car speakers by a wire or bluetooth. Enjoy the tour by listening together as you drive.
Flexible Schedule: Once the app/tour is on your phone, you can use it any day and at any time. You can use it over multiple days. And, also use it on your next trip here. This tour never expires.
Preview the tour: You can use it before the trip at home (highly recommended), use it during the trip, and use it after you come back.
Don't miss a thing: You will get everything with the app - a complete itinerary, travel tips, professionally narrated audio stories, story script, images, videos, deep dives, hidden gems, exciting locations, recommendations for hikes, adventure, activities, treks, and stop-by-stop direction.
Private tour: You can use it in your car or rental car. No worries about groups or crowds. Start the tour app on your phone. And it will direct you step by step. You can stop for as many breaks as you like. Take a break for Instagram photos, and take a break for lunch/snacks. Go on a hike. The tour will wait for you and start when you start again. You can even do the tour over multiple days. Go at your own pace.

Easy to use: The stories play themselves as soon as the GPS is activated. It requires no use of your hands at all. You can get HELP by calling, chatting, or emailing any time of the day.
Offline: There is no need for a cell signal or Wi-Fi while touring. App’s GPS map works offline.
Expiration/go again: The tour will last for the rest of your life on your phone. It is available for use on any day of your next trip.
Use pictures for a photo book: Create a photo book using clean (no crowd) app images of each spot to make a memorable trip. All the photos and the correct sequence is ready in the app for you to use.
Social media: Share clean (no crowd) images with friends/family.
Devices supported include iPhones with iOS 13 & above, Android phones with version 9 & above and all cellular-enabled tablets & iPads.
Most travellers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveller Photos

Traveller Tips

This tour was affordable and we could do it at our own pace.

Reviews

4.5

182 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 182 reviews

Great tour. It was a...

Dina_B, Mar 2023

Great tour. It was a little difficult to maintain car speed that would match the speed of the narration.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thanks Dina! I’m delighted that you found my Newport tour so enjoyable. Driving around Newport in March (off-season) must have been totally traffic-free, limiting the tour’s leisurely speed. I’m so glad that didn’t affect your experience much. I have more self-guided audio tours for all sorts of places across the country — hope you check them out on future vacations!

Meh!

Anthony_W, Mar 2023

It was obviously optimized for summer +/-. We were here early spring. Also, expecting us to"look left" or "look right" want always the best answer. Dependence on referencing your phone to make sure you were looking at the correct building want always a good answer. Also not practical to go that slow. Had to keep pulling over for traffic to maintain the needed speed to match the narrative.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thanks, Anthony! I apologize for occasionally checking your phone to ensure you were looking at the right building. The self-guided tour and audio stories for each attraction make it enjoyable in any weather. We will improve the tour instructions based on your feedback on the recommended pace. We appreciate your feedback on our tours.

Excellent Tour and process.

John_K, Mar 2023

Moderator was clear and understandable. We enjoyed this tour so much. We took our time. Had a blast.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thanks John! I’m thrilled that my tour of Newport added so much to your visit. I hope you try my other tours across the country on future vacations!

It's ok.

brittany_s, Mar 2023

The app is pretty glitchy. It shut down on me a few times. It also will play as soon as you hit your destination but no sound comes out. You have to rewind it while you're driving and often already passed your point by time it starts playing sound. Besides the glitches, overall it was enjoyable.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

I apologize for the inconvenience, Brittany! I'm glad my tour of Newport added to your learning and that you enjoyed it. This is a very unusual thing to hear, and I've shared your feedback with my team. The tour has been tested, and everything is functioning correctly. It has been corrected for future tourists, and it will not happen again.

History of Mansions,...

Barbara_T, Dec 2022

History of Mansions, pacing of narrative, good orientation to highlights around Newport. Will recommend.

Response from Host, Jan 2023

Thank you so much for your feedback! I’m delighted that my tour of Newport RI added to your learning and that you enjoyed it. I also have 100 other self-guided tours for other parks, scenic drives, cities, and historic sites in the US — hopefully, you’ll get the chance to try them next time! Also, to remind you, the tour you bought is yours for a lifetime. So, you can listen to it at home or on your next visit.

Loved the driving tour!

Nidhi_L, Nov 2022

Loved the tour but found it difficult to find the exact starting point as directions were unclear from the Marriott Harbor Hotel. Once we had the app loaded through our GPS in the car it went well. Needs better introduction to get everyone started.

Response from Host, Nov 2022

Nidhi, thank you very much for your feedback! I'm happy that my Scenic Newport, RI Driving Audio Tour contributed to your knowledge and that you enjoyed it. I will make the starting location clearer for future travelers. I also have 100 more self-guided tours for various parks, scenic drives, cities, and historical places in the United States – perhaps you'll have a chance to experience them the next time you visit! Also, as a reminder, the tour you purchased is valid for a lifetime. As a result, you may listen to it at home or at your next visit.

Really enjoyed the...

Marguerite_S, Oct 2022

Really enjoyed the details and explanation of each place we passed. It wouldn’t have been the same drive if we didn’t know the story behind it .

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Thanks so much for your feedback, Margue! I'm thrilled that my tour of Scenic Newport added to your learning and that you enjoyed it. I also have 100 other self-guided tours for other national parks, scenic drives, cities, and historic sites in the US. Hopefully, you’ll get the chance to try them next time! Also, just to remind you, the tour you bought is yours for a lifetime. So, you can listen to it at home or on your next visit.

Your own timing

debbie, Oct 2022

It was a good app if you have limited time and want to control the timing. It is not as user friendly as I would have liked for back tracking but it did work and offered up some good information.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

The app and the guide are on your phone forever. You can use it at home. You can use it again the next day, month, year, or anytime. I also have another 100 tours in the US. I will happily exchange this with any of them. Please let me know.

Can you say ostentatious?

Lynn_R, Oct 2022

The stunning views and the back stories of the people who settled in this area. The tour was extensive and covered a huge area.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Thanks so much for your feedback, Lynn! I'm thrilled that my tour of Scenic Newport added to your learning and that you enjoyed it. I also have 100 other self-guided tours for other national parks, scenic drives, cities, and historic sites in the US. Hopefully, you’ll get the chance to try them next time! Also, just to remind you, the tour you bought is yours for a lifetime. So, you can listen to it at home or on your next visit.

Great overview to tourist rich opportunities

Richard_P, Oct 2022

This was a great overview of what to do in Newport, gave us a point of reference for planning specific places to visit. Spent time at Fort Adams along the tour. Take the guided tour, well worth it and very very interesting.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Thank you so much for your feedback, Richard! I’m thrilled that my tour of scenic Newport added to your learning and that you enjoyed it. I also have 100 other self-guided tours for other parks, scenic drives, cities, and historic sites in the US — hopefully, you’ll get the chance to try them next time! Also, just to remind you, the tour you bought is yours for a lifetime. So, you can listen to it at home or on your next visit.

Great service offered!

Heidi_M, Oct 2022

Easy to follow directions and interesting facts that kept us engaged. Perfect activity for a cold and rainy fall day.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Thank you so much for your feedback, Heidi! That flexibility is one of the best features of our self-guided tour. I'm thrilled that my tour of Scenic Newport added to your learning and that you enjoyed it. I also have 100 other self-guided tours for other parks, scenic drives, cities, and historic sites in the US — hopefully, you’ll get the chance to try them next time! Also, just to remind you, the tour you bought is yours for a lifetime. So, you can listen to it at home or on your next visit.

Great way to see Newport

Val_E, Oct 2022

The stories about each stop were very interesting and informative. It was a great way to see the sights without being in a big crowd of people. We loved it!

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Thanks so much for your feedback, Val! I'm thrilled that my tour of Scenic Newport added to your learning and that you enjoyed it. I also have 100 other self-guided tours for other parks, scenic drives, cities, and historic sites in the US — hopefully, you’ll get the chance to try them next time! Also, just to remind you, the tour you bought is yours for a lifetime. So, you can listen to it at home or on your next visit.

Definitely worth doing!

John_H, Oct 2022

Easy to follow and great background stories on all the great stuff you got to see. A quick and easy way to get a good feel for the area.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Thanks so much for your feedback, John! I'm thrilled that my tour of Scenic Newport added to your learning and that you enjoyed it. I also have 100 other self-guided tours for other parks, scenic drives, cities, and historic sites in the US — hopefully, you’ll get the chance to try them next time! Also, just to remind you, the tour you bought is yours for a lifetime. So, you can listen to it at home or on your next visit.

Great value!

Andrew_M, Oct 2022

Entertaining & great value for money. Saw many things we wouldn’t have if left to our own devices! Took us all round Newport and the fabulous mansions.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Thank you so much for your feedback, Andrew! I’m thrilled that my tour of scenic Newport added to your learnings and that you enjoyed it. I also have 100 other self-guided tours for other parks, scenic drives, cities, and historic sites in the US — hopefully, you’ll get the chance to try them next time! Also, just to remind you, the tour you bought is yours for a lifetime. So, you can listen to it at home or on your next visit.

Great!

Lisa_G, Oct 2022

This audio was great. We could be in our own car going at our own pace and hearing about each place. It worked well and I would do it again.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Thank you so much for your feedback, Lisa! I’m thrilled that my tour of scenic Newport added to your learnings and that you enjoyed it. I also have 100 other self-guided tours for other parks, scenic drives, cities, and historic sites in the US — hopefully, you’ll get the chance to try them next time! Also, just to remind you, the tour you bought is yours for a lifetime. So, you can listen to it at home or on your next visit.

take time to figure out how to use the app

Susan_K, Sept 2022

Once we figured out the app, i.e., how to go back and forth, it was most enjoyable. The app recommends you follow the speed limit but sometimes we were caught up in keeping up with traffic. The road is narrow and difficult to pull over but I found using the difference arrow helped me to go back and listen to what was skipped as we travelled along. Otherwise it was most informative and enjoyable and reasonably priced.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Thank you so much for your feedback, Susan! I’m thrilled that my tour of scenic Newport added to your learnings and that you enjoyed it. I also have 100 other self-guided tours for other parks, scenic drives, cities, and historic sites in the US — hopefully, you’ll get the chance to try them next time! Also, just to remind you, the tour you bought is yours for a lifetime. So, you can listen to it at home or on your next visit.

Self guided Newport tour

Rande_R, Sept 2022

The app kept up with our frequent stops throughout the day! What I didn’t like was the few times the app indicated a house ahead but we couldn’t see it or couldn’t determine which one it was.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Thank you so much for your feedback, Rande! I’m thrilled that my tour of scenic Newport added to your learning and that you enjoyed it. I’ll look into those oddities and fix them for future travelers. I also have 100 other self-guided tours for other parks, scenic drives, cities, and historic sites in the US — hopefully, you’ll get the chance to try them next time! Also, just to remind you, the tour you bought is yours for a lifetime. So, you can listen to it at home or on your next visit.

...

Danielle_W, Sept 2022

The self-guided tour of Newport was nice. The app was easy to use. And the information was very informative. The app picks up where you start if you want to start in the middle.Well worth the money.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Thank you so much for your feedback, Daniell! I’m thrilled that my tour of scenic Newport added to your learning and that you enjoyed it. I also have 100 other self-guided tours for other parks, scenic drives, cities, and historic sites in the US — hopefully, you’ll get the chance to try them next time! Also, just to remind you, the tour you bought is yours for a lifetime. So, you can listen to it at home or on your next visit.

Very good way to have a quick tour.

Paul_L, Sept 2022

Go slow, and pull over early if you want to have a good look, maybe get out of the car for a moment.

Response from Host, Sept 2022

Thanks so much for your feedback, Paul! I'm thrilled that my tour of scenic Newport added to your learning and that you enjoyed it. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to improve the tour and earn that extra star! I also have 100 other self-guided tours for other parks, scenic drives, cities, and historic sites in the US — hopefully, you’ll get the chance to try them next time! Also, just to remind you, the tour you bought is yours for a lifetime. So, you can listen to it at home or on your next visit.

Car tour through Newport

Christine_K, Sept 2022

Tour through Newport by car was informative, inexpensive and easy to do with a smartphone. Staff was available and helpful to get us set up.

Response from Host, Sept 2022

Thanks so much for your feedback, Christine! I'm thrilled that my tour of scenic Newport added to your learning and that you enjoyed it. I also have 100 other self-guided tours for other parks, scenic drives, cities, and historic sites in the US — hopefully, you’ll get the chance to try them next time! Also, just to remind you, the tour you bought is yours for a lifetime. So, you can listen to it at home or on your next visit.

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